On December 16, Chargé d'Affaires ad interim Ms. He Fen met with Mr. Mohamed Rasheed, former Maldivian Ambassador to China and President of the China-Maldives Cultural Association (CMCA).

Ms. He Fen spoke highly of the long-term efforts made by Mr. Rasheed and the CMCA in promoting China-Maldives friendship, emphasizing that people-to-people exchanges form the foundation of bilateral relations. She noted that, at the invitation of President Xi Jinping, President Dr. Muizzu paid a successful visit to China earlier this year. The two heads of state announced the elevation of China-Maldives relations to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, injecting new impetus into people-to-people exchanges between the two countries. She expressed hope that the CMCA would continue to play an active role in further promoting China-Maldives cultural exchanges and in achieving more positive outcomes in China-Maldives relations.

Mr. Rasheed thanked China for its long-term support of the CMCA, stating that the association has always been committed to enhancing China-Maldives friendship and has carried out various cultural exchanges between the two countries. He expressed the association's willingness to continue serving as a bridge of China-Maldives friendship and to make new and greater contributions to the well-being of the two peoples.